Rubank Intermediate Method: Flute or Piccolo (Rubank Educational Library, no. 75)

I used this book back in elementary school when I was learning to play. I recently decided to pick up the flute again after a long break, and read a few reviews stating that this, not the beginner book, would be the place to start in my situation. I’d have to agree with them. I couldn’t believe how much I remembered! Though honestly, it felt like my fingers knew what to do a lot more than my brain did.This book assumes you can already assemble, hold, and play notes on a flute, that you are familiar with the very basics of reading music (what time and key signatures are, what each note on the staff is, what note values are), and can already read and play very simple little ditties. Just the very basics are required.While it does contain more advanced versions of lessons in the beginner book (new time signatures, new minor and major key signatures) it largely focuses on developing techniques such as breath, volume control, articulation, and odd fingering transitions. It also introduces entirely new-to-the-student concepts such as “stinkopation” as my old teacher used to call it, grace notes, trilling (there’s a nice trill chart towards the back of the book, though not in the cover like the fingering chart is in the front), and other odds and ends to help you create a cleaner and more advanced musical sound when you play, rather than sloppy, choppy, and flat.This book, however, does not contain much actual instruction. I find it fine to use alone because a lot of this information was already buried deep in my memory. I only needed some reminders of its existence. Someone who is coming across this information for the first time and only has this book to reference is likely to find themselves confused before very long. As stated right on the cover, this book is meant to be used in lessons or classes. A newcomer would get the most out of it with a teacher to explain the what, how, when, and why.While I wish there were more intermittent FUN pieces to play, what is included is extremely useful and important to anyone learning to play the flute. I’ve been very pleased with what this book has done for my sound in the first month of playing again. The exercises and short pieces included are great for practicing and developing all previously-covered skills.TL;DR: It’s a blast from my past and effectively re-teaching me how to toot nicer flute sounds. Not for newcomer use without a teacher.

Great for beginners who work great following a book. This book has a lot of good knowledge inside it and is irks wonder for someone who is still learning to play the flute.

Thank you so much for the fast service! The flute book arrived in excellent condition!

This is the book required by the flute teacher, and my daughter performance has been improved.

Good book but we received it in bad condition. Looks like it sat in a puddle or something before we received it. The other book that came in same package was fine.

I like this method of teaching. It helps clarify the essence of music and what one really needs without overdoing. Thank you for the book. I would definitely recommend this to whomever is interested.

Rubank is and has been a standard for a reason…

After not playing my flute for 40 years I wondered if I would remember the fingerings and be able to read the notes but after a few minutes with these books it came back to me. My fingering and embouchure were questionable at first but it sure comes back when you are using books that are old friends. The Rubank Method books are what I learned with in school and though some favorite songs are no longer in the lineup of lessons I still find those I love to practice and play. Music is always a part of you if you played as a child.